OT Assistant Salary

Sedalia vs Springfield: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Sedalia, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sedalia, MO
$62,000
$29.80/hr
Springfield, MO
$63,084
$30.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSedalia, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$62,000$63,084
Hourly Rate$29.80$30.33
Entry Level (P10)$46,833$52,042
25th Percentile$54,001$60,637
75th Percentile$64,980$74,856
Top Earner (P90)$70,593$82,999
Total Employed6120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sedalia ($62,000) and Springfield ($63,084) occupational therapy assistant salaries.SedaliaSpringfieldMedian Salary$62,000$63,084Entry Level (P10)$46,833$52,042Top Earner (P90)$70,593$82,999US Median $74,332

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sedalia.

The salary gap between Sedalia and Springfield is $1,084 (1.75%). Springfield's median is -15.13% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sedalia spans $23,760,Springfield spans $30,957. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Sedalia
P10 (Entry)$46,833
P25$54,001
Median$62,000
P75$64,980
P90 (Top)$70,593
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$52,042
P25$60,637
Median$63,084
P75$74,856
P90 (Top)$82,999

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($71,213 effective) pays 2.91% more than Sedalia ($69,196 effective).

Sedalia
Nominal: $62,000
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $69,196
Springfield
Nominal: $63,084
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $71,213

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sedalia if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,084/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,999)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,213)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Sedalia grew 13.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.9% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Sedalia, MO

+13.1%

$53,336 (2024) → $60,305 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+3.9%

$59,080 (2019) → $61,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Sedalia or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,084/year, compared to Sedalia at $62,000/year — a difference of $1,084 (1.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sedalia and Springfield?

Sedalia occupational therapy assistants earn $29.80/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $30.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sedalia to Springfield as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sedalia and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sedalia = $69,196, Springfield = $71,213), job availability (6 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Sedalia vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $46,833 in Sedalia and $52,042 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov